We are a consumer society and some of us (my hand is up) are always willing to try new things.

(This doesn’t always work, my wife will tell you. I bought a solar watch/calculator back in the 70s. It worked for a while, then gave up even though I provided it with plenty of sun. Maybe I should put it on eBay — or in a museum.)

Anyway, the folks at Consumer Reports asked readers and its own staff for their favorite consumer products.

OK, this brings up this question: What consumer items changed your lives and why? I’ll put some of them right here.

New Subject: ID theft

Consumer Reports says a shredder is one tool that can protect you. The best ones: Staples SPL-TXC22A ($27), Black and Decker Ishred BD-VS600 ($100) and Royal CX88 ($50).

What should you shred, you ask. Consumer Reports suggests credit card info, monthly bills, workplace documents (you can shred tax-related documents after seven years but keep more current documents in case you are audited), financial statements, old ID cards, medical forms, mail from a financial institution and mail from companies you’ve done business with.

Also, to protect yourself from ID theft, make sure your computer has security software, don’t use public wireless connections to shop, do business with reputable websites and avoid email scams.

When you shop in stores, don’t bring along sensitive documents you don’t need, like Social Security cards; be stingy with your personal information and keep an eye on your cards. Try not to let sales clerks, waiters or gas station attendants disappear from view with your credit or debit cards to avoid skimming.